Neuroaesthetic ingredients that create wellbeing
For more than half a century, contemporary design has maintained an ethos of ‘Form Follows Function’. As we gain a deeper understanding of the interconnection between body and mind through scientific research, we are beginning to recognise the profound effect of art, design and architecture on us – from the embracing shape of an armchair to an open office flooded in natural light. It begs the question: should we be giving more thought to ‘Form Follows Feeling’?

SELF-EXPRESSION

As we grow up, we are learning to better understand what we need. You might recall decorating your room with an over- whelming sense of urgency – a need to re-arrange, to transform. In these early ways, we are projecting our identity through our spaces, developing a sense of what we like and what we need around us to thrive.

NEUROAESTHETIC INGREDIENTS

While conditioning makes us gravitate towards particular objects and spaces which we experience in vastly different ways, research has demonstrated that there are more universal neuroaesthetic principles we can adhere to when forging holistic experiences of space and architecture – the way i.e. colour, light or material can be combined in order to create a uniform belief around or experience of a room.

ADAPTABILITY

A thing to remember about personal thumbprints in aesthetics and arts is that the same thing will not work for everybody. Frequently, we are designing spaces for a group of people that might be highly diverse and interchangeable, be it a home shared with family, a bustling restaurant, or an open office accommodating a varied range of tasks. Look to adaptability and modularity, two elements that enable us to impart a sense of identity on our immediate surroundings by bringing that authentic self to a space, even for the briefest of moments.

Encouraging and designing for adaptability allows us to adjust our surroundings to better express our identity. We adapt our surroundings to our needs in even the most generic space.

LIGHT’S POTENTIAL

Spaces are really about purpose, an emotional or human component that brings a tangible vibrancy to a room. It is where ‘form follows function’ and ‘form follows feeling’ intersect, producing compelling results, transcendent spaces that can elevate well-being, work flow or learning.

An abundance of natural light keeps us in tune with our circadian rhythms, with the benefit of heightening our focus and learning in a space.

NATURAL ELEMENTS

We know that looking at nature lowers our cortisol levels, and it is still the natural environment that we feel the most profoundly calm in. Therefore it is essential to consider the many ways in which we can introduce this powerful concept to our interiors. If you want to generate a feeling of healing and restorative quality, explore biophilic design that incorporates greenery as well as other natural elements and materials into the built environment. This could be a piece of furniture in warm oak wood, the use of earth tones, or even the humidity of air flowing through a building.

We create spaces and think these are the most important, but the reality is, in many ways, that we still find ourselves most authentically in nature.

SOFT SHAPES

Research has shown that the smooth curves of modernist sculptor Jean Arp produce a pleasant sensation in the beholder – that we prefer rounded shapes to sharp angles. In a similar manner our hands naturally envelop the rotund shape of a cup or the arched frame of a chair.

We naturally gravitate towards certain shapes, in particular smooth, rounded curves. Combining this idea with a strong focus on tactility allows one to create impactful atmospheres and spaces.

EMBRACING TACTILITY

Of course, we not only perceive the world visually, but also sensorily, among others through touch. Tactility, or the haptic experience, is an essential part of the neuroaesthetic perception of an object or space. Through our hands, we can feel the essence of an object, deciphering its materiality and how it was made – knowing through our hands.

DESIGNING WITH INTENTION

We have an incredible toolbox at our disposal, working with colour, light, objects, sound, scent, textures and more. How we wield these all depends on our intention. The science is informing new ways of understanding how to use the same ingredients, but use them in different or new ways for an end purpose.

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The latest Sunday Inspiration |  the allure of lighting

Exploring Europe emphasises the importance of interior lighting. With darkness descending as early as 3 - 4 pm, the warm glow of candles or a captivating feature light glimpsed through a window can truly alter the ambiance. It's that inviting twinkle that not only beckons you into a room but also invites you to stay.

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